Claire Thomas

Claire Thomas is Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Hitachi Vantara. She’s responsible for developing and implementing a strategy for diversity, equity and inclusion across Hitachi Vantara through programs that reflect the diverse backgrounds, passions and interests of our current and future workforce. 

Claire took on this newly created role in January 2022, after 15 years of working in technology sales. Prior to joining Hitachi Vantara in 2012, Claire worked at Microsoft for 5 years. It’s there that her interest in how technology can benefit society was first sparked. Most recently, Claire led the EMEA Digital Solutions sales team, focused on delivering innovative, data-driven solutions to meet client needs across several industries. She has won multiple awards both individually and with clients, including Role Model of the Year and Returner of the Year 2021 in the Women in Tech Excellence Awards.

Claire has always had a passion for diversity and inclusion, holding roles on the Women of Hitachi Employee Resource Group committee and the Global Diversity Council, as well as leading Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. Claire believes that a respectful environment allows people to feel accepted for being themselves and frees them up to do their best work. This approach leads to exceptional outcomes for clients and partners. Claire is committed to improving diversity of all forms within the technology sector and champions both technical and non-technical career paths, having never written a line of code herself. As a recent returner to work after two maternity leaves, Claire is also deeply passionate about supporting working parents as they manage the parenting journey alongside a fulfilling career. 

Claire lives in London with her husband and two young sons. Her happiest times are around a table chatting with friends and family over a good meal, skiing or traveling to explore new cultures and practice her Spanish.